Sometimes, being creative can be a struggle. Think "Writer's Block." That's when I know it's time to do what I call "feeding my soul." Today that's exactly what I did. I found this great book many years ago called "Paint Happy". It has been a great source of inspiration and has helped me to get out of a funk on more than one occasion. There's a particularly interesting activity where you use both hands at the same time to draw a symmetrical picture, like a flower or a heart or something. (See picture below) It makes you use both sides of your brain, takes focus and concentration, and stimulates visual perceptual centers and coordination areas. I find that it helps to get me thinking creatively. Try it! It seems to work best if you can do it with 2 different colors on a dry erase board or something like that. But paper and pen or pencil work just as well. Just tape the paper down so it doesn't move around while you work. Let the pencil/marker just flow over the paper, and always move both hands at the same time. Don't correct "mistakes", just let it become what it becomes. There's no wrong or right, good or bad, it's just an exercise for your mind. I'd love to hear how that works for you! Better yet, email me a picture!

This morning I deadheaded from PHL to MDW. During the flight I checked my email to pass the time. I found an announcement for a wine label contest for Live In The Vinyard. I just happened to have some watercolors and paper in my bag, so when I got to Chicago, I spent my 4 hours of ground time creating a label that "represents the fun-luving spirit of Southwest". It's not my best work, but in a pinch I thought it might do. The other idea was to write the word "WINE" on the label, then put "no" in front of it in small letters, an "h" inserted after the "W", and "ing" in small letters at the end. I didn't get around to that one, but I thought it was pretty funny. Maybe I'll do that too. Let me see if I can find a sharpie...